ASSESSING THE UNIVERSAL SALT IODISATION PROGRAM AMONG SALT PRODUCERS AND TRADERS IN TEN SALT PRODUCING DISTRICTS OF GHANA

Abstract

In 1996, Ghana enacted the Universal Salt Iodization law under the Food and Drug (Amended) Act 523 to achieve 90% household consumption of iodized salt as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Despite existence of regulation on mandatory iodization of salt for human consumption, implementation of strategies, policies and numerous educational programs, less than half of Ghanaian households are consuming adequately iodized salt. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and practices of salt producers and traders on universal salt iodization in ten major salt producing districts. The study was descriptive cross-sectional and the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) methodology was used. The sample size nineteen (19) was selected from each salt producing district which represents the minimum sample size that provided an alpha and beta error of ≤ 10% acceptable for making management decisions at least 92% of the time. Forty five percent (45%) of salt traders were aware of the Universal Salt Iodization (USI) law in the study catchment area. Traders in Awutu Senya, Ningo Prampram and Ada East districts were less aware of the Universal Salt Iodization law. Eighty five percent (85%) salt sample from producers tested above 15ppm and about 51% of the salt samples from traders tested above 15ppm. Traders in Ketu, Gomoa West and Ada East had most of their salt below 15ppm. Salt artisans and most medium scale producers of salt still lack adequate knowledge of salt iodization techniques and are also limited by the lack of access to salt iodization machine and salt iodization input (potassium iodate). Quality control and ensuring that all salt produced is iodize to 50ppm at production site is still a challenge in the ten salt producing districts. Quality controls and enforcement of the USI law through the salt value chain is necessary to achieving USI including Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) programs to increase knowledge on the benefits iodized salt and awareness of the USI law.